Tomb of Gül Buba (Gül Buba Türbéje)
II. Mecset utca 14, Tram 4, 6, Open 10am-4pm Tue-Sun, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, Várbusz, Website: www.btm.hu/Turbe/turbe.htm
This tomb can be found mid-way up Mecset utca (street) in Buda and is the resting place of a
respected dervish and wise man, whose Turkish name means father of roses. Although as leader of the
Bektash Order, he died soon after the capture of Budapest in 1541, Gül Baba is credited with
introducing roses to Budapest and this apparently led to the naming of the Roszadomb (Rose Hill)
district. As the most northerly place of pilgrimage for those of Islamic faith, it is also
Budapest's only surviving religious building from the occupying Turkish era.
Vajdahunyad Castle (Vajdahunyad Vára)
 XIV. Metro: M1 Széchenyi
fürdő, Trolleybus 70, 72, 75, 79, Bus, 4, 20, 30, 105
Originally constructed in 1896 as a temporary exhibit for the Hungarian millennial celebrations,
the castle proved so popular that it was eventually replaced with an identical permanent
structure.
The portcullis entrance is always popular with children - the eerie statue of
Anonymous opposite the main entrance less so. Part of the building also now houses the city's
Agricultural Museum, while nearby is the city's largest outdoor ice rink, the ever-popular
Széchenyi thermal baths and
the Budapest Transport Museum (10 minute walk).
Vienna Gate (Bécsi Kapu)
 I. Bécsi Kapu tér, Metro: M2 Moszkva
tér, Várbusz, Bus 16
Although the Vienna Gate that stands today is a replica of the 16th century original, it
nonetheless marks the traditional starting point to Budapest's Castle District. The historic
importance of the gate is reflected even in everyday life, as a popular saying amongst parents of
cheeky children is "your mouth is as big as the Vienna Gate". Unfortunately though, it doesn't
appear to deter more adventurous youngsters from climbing on it during the summer.
Vienna Gate Square (Bécsi Kapu tér)
 Address as
above
Despite being dominated by the huge National Archive building (Samu Pecz 1913-20), there are some
fine examples of Baroque and Rococo architecture to heighten the appeal of the square at No's. 5
and 6 and 7. Most famous is the house at No.7 - the author Thomas Mann is said to have stayed
here during several visits to Hungary between 1935-36. Walking in a southerly direction,
you'll eventually reach some of the Castle District's major sights, including the Matthias
Church and
Szentháromság tér, as well as the Budapest Hilton and Fishermen's
Castle.
 Állakerti út 14-16, Metro: M1
Széchenyi fürdő, Trolleybus 72, 74, 75, Open: Oct-Mar 10am-6pm Mon-Sun,
Apr-Sep 10am-8pm Mon-Sun, Website: www.vidampark.hu
Vidam park is an old fashioned amusement park with some of the attractions dating back to pre-World
War II times. So, if you're expecting a mini Disneyworld or an Alton Towers, forget it, as this is
very much a small scale fun fair. It does, however, have a quaint feel to it with Victorian
style merry-go-rounds and a rather ropey looking wooden rollercoaster. The place is slowly being
modernized so this old charm will gradually disappear.
Vigadó (Pesti Vigadó)
 V. Vigadó utca 5, Metro: M1
Vörösmarty tér, Website: www.tabulas.hu
Although the acoustics of Budapest's second largest concert hall are sadly lacking, the building
itself, designed by Frigyes Feszl in 1859 makes a bold impression along the Pest embankment. Built
to replace another concert hall on the same site (which was destroyed by fire in the 1848 War of
Independence) Feszl's Vigadó was also badly damaged, this time during World War II. The
post-war reconstruction, which took some thirty-six years to complete, remains faithful to his
original design and continues to attract leading conductors and performers from around the
world.
Vörösmarty Square (Vörösmarty
tér)
 V. Metro: M1 Vörösmarty tér
Named after the revered Hungarian poet and writer, Mihály Vörösmarty, the square
is centrally located just behind the major hotels on the Pest Embankment. Ede Telc's marble statue
of Vörösmarty, which dominates the middle of the square, is flanked to the north by the
Gerbeaud café, and in the opposite direction by the Bershka Department store and Váci
utca.
It's a pleasant place to be during the summer, especially as there are no
cars. The square's charming fountain, which features four water spitting lions, is invariably
popular with children who try to squirt passers by.
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